Modi, who held a video-conference with Indian-American community, said putting country before any idiology constitutes his idea of secularism.

NEW DELHI: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who held a video-conference with a group of Indian-American community members on Sunday, said putting country before any religious idiology constitutes his idea of secularism.

Modi, who is often attacked by his political rivals for allegedly practicing an exclusivist ideology, said a secularist is one who sees India as his top priority. "My definition of secularism is simple: 'India First'. Whatever you do, wherever you work, India should be the top priority for all its citizens," he said.

"Country is above all religions and ideologies," he argued and asked people to follow the same. I agree friends that as an Indian, as a citizen who loves India, you will also agree with my definition...We might do any work or take any decision, India should be supreme," he said.

"India's well-being should be our goal. And if this happens, secularism will automatically run in our blood," the Gujarat chief minister said.

Modi was denied visa to travel to the US over the riots that took place in Gujarat under his charge. Last week, the Wharton India Economic Forum cancelled Modi's keynote address because of opposition from a section of professors and students of the University of Pennsylvania.

But Modi did not touch upon the controversial issue. The event, organised by a group called the Overseas Friends of BJP, was planned much in advance of the Wharton controversy. Agency reports said several hundred people gathered at two places - Edison in New Jersey and Chicago - to listen to Modi's speech.

Modi stressed on skill development of the youth and asked the diaspora to help in the development of India. He avoided being highly critical of the UPA government at the Centre, but pointed to the lack of focus on issues like skill development.

"The UPA government has allocated a mere Rs 1,000 crore for skill development. Contrast that with the Rs 800 crore that Gujarat has allocated. This shows the priorities of the two governments. I am not using this platform to criticise any government, but want to keep before you some of the facts," he said.